Whitehaven boss Dave Rotheram believes this year’s past encounters between Whitehaven and Rochdale count for nothing ahead of Sunday’s battle in the LHF Healthplan League One Elimination play-off.

Rotheram said: “All that is irrelevant at this stage. We’ve finished nine points in front of them in the league, so over the year we’re a better team on paper – but these games are not played on paper.

“We want to get off to a good start. We’ve had a good week’s preparation and we’re ready for the game now.

“We’ll get the crowd behind us and that’s very important. Hopefully, a lot of people will turn up and really get behind the boys.”

Hornets’ coach Darren Abram has got his eyes on a bumper prize fund if he can steer his troops to Grand Final glory.

Abram said: “That £100,000 (available to the winners of the Grand Final who do not qualify for promotion to Super League) is like winning the national lottery.

“But Whitehaven were my dark horses to win the title at the start of the season. They’ve got four good players that I’ve coached in the past so I know what they’re capable of.

“They’ve got quick wingers, experienced centres, toughness and go-forward up front. They’re a good team and going up to Cumbria is always difficult so we’ve got to get that into our heads early in the week.

“It’s men against men and its do or die. There’s a lot of do in our side and, if we focus, we should be all right.

“We’ve achieved a lot to finish fifth, the best of the rest behind Whitehaven and the three full-time teams. It’s been an excellent season for us. We’re not here to make up the numbers.”